Google Has Sold Over 10 Million Cardboard VR Headsets

While Google is already onto better virtual reality forays — Google Daydream, anyone? — Google Cardboard is still a very serviceable virtual reality headset for something made from, well, cardboard. In fact, Google has sold more than 10 million of its Cardboard VR headsets since the product was first introduced. So, what gives? The following will answer a few common questions about Google’s early leaps into VR, as well as describing what is on the horizon for Google’s VR future.

What is Google Cardboard?

Google Cardboard is what is says it is: a VR headset made of cardboard. It is functional with a smartphone and several specially-designed apps. To use, you can fold your own viewer or buy a certified viewer, depending on how much you want to pay. The viewer is extremely affordable, and starts at $15 from the most basic version to more complex versions.

Read More: “Google Daydream” Virtual Reality Becoming a Reality

How well has Google Cardboard done so far?

With such an affordable product, it’s no surprise that Google Cardboard has done as well as it has. The company has sent out 10 million of its VR headsets, and users have downloaded 160 million of the apps designed for the Cardboard headset. Additionally, the 30 available Cardboard apps have been downloaded at least a million times each. What is notable about this milestone, too, is that Google had only shipped out five million headsets this past July, meaning that an additional five million headsets were sold in a little over half a year. That’s a lot of reach for something that’s made of a material so disposable. Nonetheless, it’s not surprising considering how accessible the gadget is — it’s affordable, easy to use, and great for people of all ages.

What are Google’s next VR projects?

Google Daydream VR framework is taking up much of Google’s current VR focus. Daydream will be functional with a wider range of devices than Google Cardboard. For example, Daydream mobile handsets can be transformed into VR headsets when used with a head-mounting accessory. Ultimately, Google describes Daydream as being more “immersive” than its Cardboard counterpart. Currently, there are over 100 Daydream-compatible apps. Many of these apps are focused on content from YouTube. They are now available to download.

Google is also expanding its augmented reality platform, which is called Tango. They are offering several augmented reality apps, which are apps that transpose virtual images onto the real world (think Pokemon Go).